Christmas market cruises with AMAWaterways

AMAWaterways Christmas Markets on the Rhine, saving £1,250pp + free flights

Save £1,250pp off a 7 night sailing along the Rhine, taking in some of Europe’s most spectacular Christmas markets, historic cities and towns. Departing 24 November the sailing now costs £1,599pp and includes free flights from London, transfers, accommodation in a balcony cabin, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles. 

Christmas Market cruise, saving £900pp + free flights

Cruise along the Danube from Budapest to Nuremberg, home to Europe’s largest Christmas market, and enjoy fine dining, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, and accommodation akin to a top hotel. Calling into new destinations each day, the cruise departs 16 December and offers the opportunity to explore festive Europe and visit some of the finest Christmas markets. The price of £1,499pp includes a saving of £900pp. 

Christmas on the Danube, saving £685pp + free flights

Spend Christmas afloat amid luxurious surroundings on a festive sailing along the Danube from Budapest to Vilshofen. Santa will be on board to fill shoes left outside the cabin on Christmas Eve with sweets and delicacies and the crew organise carol singing, festive drinks and dining. Departing 20 December 2014, the sailing costs from £1,599pp, including a saving of £685pp, with free flights from Manchester and transfers. 

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AMAWaterways luxury wine themed river cruises

Luxury wine cruise, saving £790pp + free flights

Departing 17 November AmaWaterways is offering free flights and a saving of £790pp off their 7 night `Enchanting Rhine’ wine themed luxury river cruise. The sailing, which now costs £1,269pp, includes wine themed shore excursions, wine presentations and tastings on board, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles. 

Paris & Normandy `Rail & Sail’ wine themed cruise, saving £1,130pp + free rail

Avoid airports and let the train take the strain all the way from London to Paris on board EuroStar, to join the luxury river cruiser AmaLegro (above) for a 7 night wine themed sailing along the Seine from Paris into Normandy and back, departing 20 November 2014. The cruise now costs £1,479pp for a balcony cabin, saving £1,130pp, and includes wine themed shore excursions, wine presentations and tastings on board, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles. 

Romantic Danube luxury river cruise, saving £640pp + free flights

Departing 15 November 2014 AmaWaterways is offering a £640pp saving off a 7 night Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest, including free return flights from London, transfers, all meals (with wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), complimentary daily tours and excursions, free wi-fi and free use of on board bicycles.  The cruise now costs £1,279pp. 

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Explore Europe’s most beautiful rivers in style with Hebridean Island Cruises

 

Hebridean Island Cruises offers guests a river cruise experience on board the elegant Royal Crown (above) with the introduction of a 10 per early booking offer. Valid for all bookings made before 31 October 2014. 

Itineraries include:

Vistas and Vineyards of the Rhine. This seven-night cruise departs from Basel on 3 July 2015. Prices start from £2,655 per person.

Danube Symphony. Seven-night cruise departs from Nuremberg on 10 July 2015. Prices start from £2,790 per person.

Treasures of the Danube. Seven-night cruise departs from Budapest on 22 August 2015. Prices start from £2,790 per person.

Discovering the Rhine. Seven-night cruise departs from Nuremberg on 29 August 2015. Prices start from £2,655 per person.

Prices for all river cruises include return travel by air and transfers to and from the ship, a full programme of excursions, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and gratuities.

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AmaWaterways to launch two new luxury vessels in 2015

AmaWaterways  has announced the addition of two new ships, AmaSerena and AmaVista, featuring the line’s first ever connecting staterooms.  The vessels will join their sister ships – AmaReina, AmaPrima, AmaCerto and the new AmaSonata for Danube, Main and Rhine sailings beginning spring 2015.

The 164-passenger AmaSerena and AmaVista (above) feature spacious, luxurious accommodation, with most staterooms having AmaWaterways’ unique twin balconies. A new feature is the line’s connecting cabins with both vessels featuring a number of joint staterooms, offering added convenience for families and groups travelling together. 

In addition, guests onboard AmaSerena and AmaVista will have access to massage services, fitness rooms, sun decks and heated swimming pools with swim-up bars. Complimentary unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner and complimentary bottled water is provided daily in all staterooms.

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Relive The Sound of Music With Titan

Calling all Sound of Music fans, here is a cruise experience - and an exclusive opportunity - just for you! Titan Travel, in conjunction with their river-cruise partners Uniworld, are offering guests travelling on selected river cruises this summer the unique opportunity to meet and hear performances by Elisabeth von Trapp.

As the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp, whose story inspired The Sound of Music, Elisabeth (above) will share the “sounds of music” with guests on a choice of 2014 itineraries for departures from June to September. 

Guests sailing on the 8-day Enchanting Danube itinerary, from Budapest to Passau, will be able to join Elisabeth in Salzburg at the beautiful Mirabellgarten as she performs songs from the famous film. A highlight of the performance will be the chance for guests to participate in a sing-along of “Do-Re-Mi” at the famed garden where the original 1964 scene was filmed. Elisabeth will also be performing a range of Gregorian chants, 12th-century mystic Hildegard of Bingen tunes, some early American hymns and her own original compositions. 

Guests sailing on the 14-day European Serenade and 7-day Danube Discovery and Prague itinerary will also be treated to “the sounds of Von Trapp” with an exclusive on-board performance. 

Prices for the August 3 departure of the Enchanting Danube cruise start from £2,729 per person, including flights, 7-night full board cruise on board the River Beatrice, transfers, excursions with English speaking guides, unlimited complimentary drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, taxes and Titan’s VIP Home Departure Service.

More info: call 0800 988 5867 or visit www.titantravel.co.uk/uniworld.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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Wine & Christmas With AMA

Enjoy Europe’s vineyards during the wine harvest on a wine-themed luxury river cruise with AmaWaterways, during a 7-night sailing from Budapest to Vilshofen on board one of the newest and most advanced river ships in Europe, the AmaPrima. 

Departing on November 6, AMA's "In Celebration of Wine" sailing includes wine-themed tours and presentations, visits to wineries and wine tastings, and the price of £1,599pp includes a generous saving of £373pp.

Or save £734pp off a week-long cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg, departing on November 20. The AmaPrima sails to Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Passau and Regensberg, before arriving in Nuremberg, home of Europe’s largest Christmas market. The price is now from £2,159pp .

AMA's Christmas markets river cruise has a saving of £388pp on  a week-long sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest, with the numerous and varied Christmas markets in Vienna and the picturesque stalls and wares for sale in Linz and Passau. This "Christmas Time Cruise" departs on December 16 and now costs from £1,779pp.

And two more great festive season river-cruise ideas:

December 28: Recuperate from Christmas and Celebrate New Year!

Get Christmas over and done with and head off for a week on a luxury river cruiser, sailing from Nuremberg to Budapest. See Europe in its festive finery, visit the regal cities of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, spend New Year’s Eve in picturesque Linz and enjoy a relaxing New Year’s Day in the spectacular surroundings of the Baroque Melk Abbey, followed by a cruise through Austria’s Wachau Valley. The week-long sailing now costs from £1769pp, saving £469pp.

December 25: River cruise solves Christmas AND New Year!

Spend Christmas Day in festive Nuremberg and New Year in Amsterdam, where fireworks will light up the sky for miles around and the city will be partying right into New Year’s Day. Embark on the luxury new river cruiser AmaPrima on December 25, sail along the Main and Rhine waterways, visiting picturesque towns and villages each day and enjoying five-star cuisine and comfort all the way, to arrive in Amsterdam for New Year. The price of £1,649pp saves £431pp.

NB: All prices include return flights from London, ship transfers, all meals, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, complimentary daily tours and excursions, wi-fi and use of onboard bicycles. 

More info: Contact AmaWaterways on (freephone) 0808 223 5009 or online at www.amawaterways.co.uk.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Avalon's 2014 European Preview

Avalon Waterways has launched its 2014 European River Cruise Preview Brochure with a range of early booking offers as well as announcing three new Suite Ships for delivery in the spring next year.

A range of great value early booking offers are available; the earlier the booking, the better the saving.  Those booking by May 22 can save up to £1,400 per couple; by June 30, the saving is £1,200 per couple; or book by September 30 to save £600 per couple.

The new preview brochure features 10 of Avalon’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, Main, Rhone and Dutch Waterways. The choice includes the Romantic Rhine (8 days from £1,255pp), A Taste of the Danube (8 days from £1,109pp), Capitals of Central Europe (10 days from £1,665pp), Burgundy & Provence (11 days from £1,909pp) and Balkan Discovery (10 days from £1,815pp). Ten other non-brochured 2014 cruises available to book via the website include Paris to Normandy Beaches (8 days from £1,135pp), Rhine & Moselle (13 days from £2,605pp), Grand France (16 days from £2,855pp) and Upper Rhine to the City of Music (12 days from £2,490pp).

Avalon’s flexible approach provides passengers with more of a personalised experience.  Included sightseeing with individual audio sets is available at three different levels all led by expert local guides. Leisurely sightseeing shows each destination’s highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way; traditional sightseeing explores a wide range of sights at a moderate pace and essential sightseeing shows the must-see sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own. Alternative sightseeing options are also on offer for those with different interests or for those who have visited the area before.

For bookings, follow this link to the The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river-cruising specialists.

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The Romantic Viking Cruise!

This Valentine's Day, Viking River Cruises is offering the perfect trips for anyone who wants to surprise their partner with a romantic river cruise in 2013. The Danube and the Seine are known for their prestigious beauty and illustrious history and, with Viking, the rivers will also offer the perfect route to a memorable Valentine's gift. The Romantic Danube This 8-day journey on board one of Viking’s stylish Longships travels through the heart of Germany, Austria and Hungry on the international waterway of the Danube. Sail between the divided city of Budapest (above) and under the grand Chain Bridge, take a half-day city tour of Vienna, visiting the quaint village of Passau and cruise between the soaring gorges and take in the stunning scenery through the Wachau Valley. The eight-day itinerary costs from £1,245 per person, based on two people sharing. This price includes return economy flights, all meals on board, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, six guided tours (visiting four UNESCO World Heritage Sites), a Hungarian evening show, a classical music performance and all port charges, airport taxes and transfers.

Paris & the Heart of Normandy On this 8-day journey, the Viking Pride sails from the ‘city of love’, Paris, and through breathtaking Normandy visiting the likes of Rouen, Les Andelys, Giverny and Conflans before ending back to picturesque Paris. Itinerary highlights include the Gothic architecture of Rouen, exquisite gardens of Giverny and the historic shoreline of the Normandy beaches. It costs from £1,195 per person, based on two people sharing. This price includes return economy flights, all meals on board, wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, six guided tours (visiting three UNESCO World Heritage Sites), French lessons, wine-making demonstrations and tastings, plus all port charges, airport taxes and transfers. For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists.

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AMA's Autumn Specials

River-cruise specialists AMA Waterways have three bumper special offers to tempt savvy travellers this autumn, with a diverse choice of eastern Europe, France and Vietnam.

Take your pick from the following tempting trio:

Black Sea Voyage with up to £445pp saving

Cruise the lower Danube through five countries, from Rousse in Bulgaria to Budapest, Hungary, with daily port calls and complimentary tours and excursions on a 7-night voyage on board the luxurious 5-star river cruiser AmaDolce. AMA's Black Sea sailing now costs from just £1,395 per person (was £1,840pp) with all meals, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Autumn wine-themed cruise, saving £499pp

This blissful 7-night voyage sails from Lyon to Arles (and in reverse) on board the luxury river cruiser, AmaDagio, cruising through legendary wine regions such as Beaujolais and Cote du Rhone. The cruise departs on October 11 and 18 and costs from £1,591pp (was £2,091), including wine tastings at local vintners, daily tours and excursions, all meals, wine with dinner, free use of onboard bicycles, free Wi-Fi and all port taxes. 

Cruise the Mekong  
Experience the exotic villages, towns, markets and temples of the mighty Mekong River on a 7-night river cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City in Cambodia and Vietnam. This 10-night adventure departs on November 10 and includes a night stay in Siem Reap, a 7-night cruise, two overnight UK flights and all necessary transfers. It now costs from just £2,695pp, a saving of some 30 per cent.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's river cruising specialists.

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Side-By-Side - A River-Cruise Comparison

Guest Blog by US cruise expert Steven B Stern, author of Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation.

In conducting research for my new guide, which will be devoted exclusively to European river boats and barges, I have attempted to cruise on the entire gamut of the new and more upscale ships that the various cruise lines are racing to build.

Last summer (2011), we did back-to-back cruises on the SS Antoinette of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and on the Viking Legend of Viking River Cruises (you can also see fuller reviews in the Autumn issue of World of Cruising magazine). This summer, we cruised back-to-back on the Avalon Panorama and AMACERTO, the newest ships of these two specialist riverboat cruise lines.

Avalon Panorama (top) entered service in 2011, the first of what the company refers to as their “suite ships.” AMACERTO entered service in 2012, the latest of three identical sister ships.

Our 14-day cruise on Panorama (above, right) commenced in Budapest and traversed the Danube, Main/Danube Canal, River Main and Rhine all the way up to Amsterdam. We spent only seven days on AMACERTO covering a portion of the same itinerary.

In the final analysis, I could not say that one was superior to the other. Each had features that impressed, and others that didn’t. The non-suite accommodations were similar on both with limited storage, as is the situation on all riverboats. However, we preferred our cabin on the AMA ship because of the fact most of the cabins had both a real outdoor balcony as well as a French-style balcony whereas the Panorama only had the French balconies. The bedding on the Panorama also did not adequately adapt itself to a matrimonial bed arrangement. 

Service on both ships was outstanding with exceptional cruise directors and hotel managers. Dining was similar, but not outstanding. The speciality restaurant on AMACERTO represented a nice diversion. The excursion program on AMA was a better deal, since almost every tour was included. The amount of nightly entertainment on both ships was a pleasant surprise. 

Both were physically beautiful ships, well maintained, and more modern in décor than some of the older ships in both fleets. In the final analysis, I would have to say it is a toss-up - you can’t really go wrong with either one.

See more about Stern's Guide to the Cruise Vacation on this link.

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New River Cruise Brochure From Noble Caledonia.

The luxury cruise and travel specialists of Noble Caledonia have launched a brand new brochure dealing solely with river cruises. 

The company’s selection of deluxe river voyages includes journeys along the major rivers of Europe, Russia and China aboard vessels offering boutique accommodation from just 100-200 passengers.

From the fairytale castles of The Rhine and the dazzling Hermitage museum of St Petersburg to the floating markets on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia and the Port vineyards of the Douro, the brochure is packed with some fascinating holiday possibilities.  

You will also find some more unusual journeys on smaller vessels in South East Asia and South America as Noble Caledonia continue to provide their signature portfolio of upmarket but off-the-beaten-track ideas.

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

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The Blue Danube - Westbound

Here's a great look ahead to some wonderful European river-cruising in 2013 with upmarket American operator Tauck, with an early-booking sample price of just $4,490 for a 12-day voyage. Here's how they put it.

Glide past fairytale castles and medieval villages aboard MS Swiss Jewel and MS Treasures on one of Tauck's popular Danube River cruises. Explore Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Cesky, Bratislava and Budapest – plus the castle-studded Wachau Valley – taking in views of the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. 

Attend a private Imperial Evening with dinner and music at a palace in Vienna; a wine tasting in Dürnstein; a day in Mozart's Salzburg; or medieval Cesky Krumlov; take an exclusive  private tour of Baroque monastery libraries in Prague; discuss contemporary issues and historic events in Slovakia with a resident expert; and enjoy evenings of cultural entertainment on and off your riverboat. 

In Vienna, see the Imperial apartments at The Hofburg or tour opulent Schönbrunn Palace. Admire frescoes, stained glass windows and stunning architecture as you spend two nights each in Budapest and Prague in city-centre hotels, checking out remarkable bridges, cathedrals, museums and grand Habsburg palaces. It's definitely a Danube River cruise to remember!

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

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Avalon's Early-Booking Offers

Avalon Waterways’ 2013 full range of cruises featuring two new Suite ships, a choice of new cruise itineraries and a new flexible river cruising concept is on sale now.

Early bookers can take advantage of savings of up to £1,200 per couple, including £600 off per couple on cruises booked before August 31 as well as a further discount of £600 per couple on selected departures if booked by June 30.

Suite Ships Avalon Expression and Avalon Artistry II will be launched into service in May 2013, bringing the total of suite ships in the fleet to five. All five feature two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall sliding panoramic windows opening to create an open-air balcony, state-of-the art design and technology, as well as Panorama suites measuring 200sq feet (30% larger than industry standard) and Royal Suites at 300sq ft with king-sized bed, full-size bathroom and access to in-room iPads.

Artistry II will sail the 8 day ‘Romantic Rhine’ cruise (£1,855pp), whilst Expression will sail the longer itineraries of 13-day ‘Blue Danube Discovery’ (£2,459pp), 15-day ‘Magnificent Europe’ (£3,035pp) and 11-day ‘Legendary Danube’ (£2,459pp).

Avalon's new flexible approach to river cruising provides passengers with more choice relating to dining and sightseeing options. Included sightseeing will be offered at three different levels: Leisurely Sightseeing with a certified Local Guide, showing the destination’s highlights in a relaxed and unhurried way; Traditional Sightseeing, led by a Certified Local Guide to explore a wide range of sights at a moderate pace; and Essential Sightseeing, showing the must-see sights, with plenty of time to explore on your own. Alternative sightseeing options will also be on offer for those with different interests or for those who have visited the area before.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists.

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Titan Travel's Uniworld Preview For 2013

Titan Travel has unveiled its brand new 2013 preview brochure of award-winning river cruises for independent travellers in an exclusive partnership with Uniworld. This special preview brochure, which is out this week, has been rebranded as the 'World's Best River Cruises' and showcases eight outstanding river-cruise itineraries for 2013 aboard Uniworld's fleet of floating boutique-style hotels to some of the grandest and most scenic waterways of Europe. The new branding recognises the supreme quality of each ship with their sumptuous interiors, award-winning service, spacious and beautifully appointed staterooms, fine cuisine (including complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on the majority of the cruises) and choice of shore excursions included at every major port of call plus the range of splendid on-board amenities available on each vessel. One of Titan's long-standing principles is that early bookers get the best holiday prices. Therefore, the preview brochure offers the opportunity to take advantage of the lowest guaranteed prices on 2013 cruises, with savings of up to £500 per person for bookings made before June 30, 2012. The brochure features one brand new itinerary with an 8-day 'Venice and the Po River' itinerary on the newly refurbished River Countess. This is the first time Uniworld has featured Italy in its programme and, following a stay in Venice, the trip continues along the River Po to include visits to Bologna for a pasta-making workshop, as well as a city tour of Verona and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ravenna. The 8-day cruise costs from £1,999 per person (if booked by June 30) and includes flights, 7-nights full board cruise, excursions, transfers and the unique VIP Home Departure Service. In addition, the brochure introduces a brand new vessel - the Queen Isabel which will be launching on the Douro River in Portugal from March 2013. Offering two itineraries, the 11-day 'Lisbon and the Beautiful Douro River' and the popular 8-day 'A Week on the Douro River' itineraries, the new vessel is set to be the most luxurious river cruise ship on this majestic river next year. With a unique boutique feel, its elegant suites and junior suites will have full balconies and the restaurant will have panoramic windows to admire the scenery whilst enjoying the sumptuous dinners. There will also be an area for Al Fresco dining and a small pool on the sundeck. Prices for 'A Week on the Douro' start from £1,699 per person (for bookings made by June 30) and include flights, 7-nights full board cruise, excursions with English-speaking guides, transfers and the VIP Home Departure Service. The brochure leads in with a £1,599 price (by June 30) for an 8-day 'Enchanting Danube' cruise from Budapest to Passau including flights, 7-nights full board cruise aboard the sumptuous River Beatrice, excursions, transfers and the VIP Home Departure Service. For more river-cruise info and bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river cruise specialist.

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Voyages of Discovery Cruises Into Rivers For 2012

Voyages of Discovery has launched its first-ever river cruising programme, European River Cruises. Cruise through central European rivers, the Rhine and the Danube, or discover Russia’s waterway, the River Volga, whilst experiencing a tailor-made programme of shore excursions.

Prices for all river cruises include flights or rail travel and overseas transfers from/to the ship (where applicable), all meals on board and house wine with lunch and dinner. Shore excursions, gratuities and visas are not included. European River Cruises recommended by Voyages of Discovery include:

· Romantic Rhine Cruise – a seven-night cruise of the Rhine onboard Royal Crown from £1,195 per person. Departing from Amsterdam and calling at Düsseldorf, Königswinter, Koblenz (overnight), Rüdesheim and Cologne (overnight). Price based on a 2 June departure.

· Grand Danube Journey – a seven-night voyage on Royal Crown from £1,795 per person. Departing from Budapest and calling at Bratislava, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Passau, Regensburg and Nuremberg. Price based on a 7 July departure.

· St Petersburg-Moscow – an 11-night cruise on board Volga Dream from £2,395 per person. Departing from St Petersburg (overnight x 3) and calling at Svir River and Mandrogi, Kizhi, Goritsy, Yaroslavl, Uglich and Moscow (overnight x 2). Price based on a 29 July or 11 August departure.

For bookings, follow this link to the UK's river cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd. 

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Joanna Lumley Becomes Godmother Of The Viking Odin

Joanna Lumley has become the Godmother of the Viking Odin, one of the four new Viking River Cruises 'Longships' launched in a record-breaking day in Amsterdam last month.

And a launch video is now available, which you can follow on this link to see all the festivities and an interview with the lovely Joanna.

The "World’s Leading River Cruise line" christened four new state-of-the-art ships at once, all designed by top maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten. The ships all set sail immediately along Viking’s vast range of routes throughout Europe, taking in rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.

For more details of Viking River Cruises, follow this link to the Cruise Line the UK's luxury river cruise specialist.

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Avalon's Unique Dual Christening

Launching two new ships at the same time is a first for the river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways and will mark the 12th and 13th new Avalon vessels to enter service in Europe since 2004. The launch will bring the fleet’s total of suite ships to 3, all with two full decks of suites sized from 200-300sq ft each.

The vessels' joint christening ceremony will take place as the duo are moored alongside each other and forms part of a special five-day itinerary for both ships sailing through Holland (9-13 May). 

Avalon Visionary and Avalon Vista will offer the same state-of-the-art sleek design, spacious suites and focus on service as sister ship Avalon Panorama. The ships will feature Panorama suites with wall-to-wall panoramic windows that open to create unique ‘open air balconies’, upgrades and enhancements throughout.

Post-christening, Visionary will introduce Panorama suites to the River Rhine for the first time, sailing the 8-day Romantic Rhine itinerary (from £1,735 per person) as well as several Christmas cruises. The Vista will sail the 11-day Legendary Danube itinerary (from £2,345pp) and 13-day Blue Danube Discovery cruise (from £2,595pp), as well as the 15-day Magnificent Europe (£3,165pp). 

As well as onboard gratuities, a privately chauffeured door-to-door home pick-up service, port charges and all transfers are included.

With a choice of flexible travel arrangements on offer, regional flights or Eurostar options make the journey as easy as possible. Based on full board, the fine dining on board includes a range of international and regional dishes with local wines, beers and soft drinks served on a complimentary basis with dinner. Sightseeing with local guides with individual audio sets means visitors also get the most of shore excursions.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Late Deals from AMA Waterways

Top European river-cruise operator AMAWaterways have just announced a series of tempting reduced fares for this year, featuring three different cruises on the Rhone, Mosel, Rhine and Danube.

Here are the highlights:

April 13, Black Sea Cruise: Sail from Budapest along the Danube through Romania, Croatia, Serbia and Bulgaria to the Bulgarian port of Rousse, including passing through the `Iron Gates’, the narrow divide between the Balkans and Carpathian mountains, to conclude the cruise with an excursion to Bucharest.

This week-long luxury cruise now costs from £1,187 per person (previously £1,654), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes. 

May 24, Rhone cruise: A late evening stay alongside the largely abandoned medieval town of Viviers, including an after-dinner 'ghost walk' through streets that once were home to 30,000 people, is part of this 7-night luxury river cruise from Lyons to Arles on board the luxury cruiser AmaDagio. With plenty of time in each port call, overnight stays during a week of castles, vineyards, wine tastings, fine wine and excellent cuisine include the cobbled medieval towns of Lyon and Touron, the rural riverside town of Vienne for an evening stroll past the waterside cafes, and Arles, home to Vincent van Gogh during his most productive last years, where some of his greatest works were painted. 

The week-long cruise now costs from £1,837pp, (previously £2,277), with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

July 18; Cruise past Europe’s steepest vineyards in the Mosel Valley and along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Rhine through the Rhine Gorge, with its castles and medieval half-timbered villages, from Luxembourg to Nuremberg along the Mosel, Rhine, Main and Main-Danube Canal. The seven-night sailing departs from Remich (Luxembourg) and includes a late evening stay in Rudesheim, with its narrow streets lined with wine taverns, and in the lovely town of Koblenz and city of Frankfurt, allowing time to sample the relaxed evening ambience. 

This week-long voyage now costs from £1,487pp, (was £1,841), again with all meals, free wi-fi, free use of on board bicycles, daily tours and excursions and all port taxes.

For booking details, follow this link to the river cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

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Jewish Heritage Themed Cruise with AMA Waterways

Trace the Jewish heritage of the Danube from the comfort of a luxury river cruiser with AMA Waterways in 2012.

With a selected daily touring programme of Jewish Heritage excursions that include synagogue visits, Jewish districts, museums, monuments and other landmarks of significance to Jewish history, all led by knowledgeable guides, these cruises represent a really different aspect of European river-cruising.

The cruises pass through Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary and highlights include a special visit to the tomb of Chatam Sofer, the famous rabbi, a visit to Oskar Schindler's house in Regensberg, and Room 600 at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice. Passengers will also visit the Jewish Museum, Judenplatz and Old Synagogue, Sigmund Freud House (outside), Jewish Cemetery and Jewish Quarter in Vienna. 

The 7-night `Jewish Heritage’ Blue Danube cruise between Budapest and Nuremberg, departing October 17, costs from £1,775 per person, including all meals, wine with dinner, free Wi-Fi and free use of on-board bicycles, excluding flights.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury river-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Big Saving On AMA's Danube Wine Appreciation Cruise

Learn the art of food and wine pairing, how to taste and choose fine wines and discover the history of wine growing on a 7-night luxury cruise in the company of British wine critic, journalist and television personality Jilly Goolden (above), who will be on board for the duration of the cruise.

Luxury river cruise operator AmaWaterways is offering UK guests a saving of £400pp off a luxury river cruise on board the luxurious AmaDolce, embarking in Vilshofen on November 14 and cruising to Budapest.

Jilly Goolden, known for her eccentric descriptions of wine that have included pear drops, liquorice and even rubber, presented BBC’s Food & Drink show for 18 years. She will join the picturesque `Romantic Danube’ cruise past rolling hillsides, vineyards and medieval castles, through Austria’s captivating Wachau Valley with highlights that include visits to Vienna and Budapest.

While on board, she will present her knowledge of local wines, host wine tastings, accompany guests on a wine-themed shore excursion and mingle freely with passengers during meals and in the ship’s public areas.

All presentations, wine tastings and excursions are complimentary to guests and are included in the 7-night cruise price, starting from £1195 per person, which also includes return UK flights, transfers, all meals, wine with dinner, free wi-fi and use of on-board bicycles.

See more at www.amawaterways.co.uk or wine the river-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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